VIKRAM Solanki again confirmed his rich potential with another masterly unbeaten 57 in the rain-affected Championship draw against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

In a game in which almost a days play was lost because of rain, Worcestershire were never in a position to push for a win to enhance their promotion prospects.

Solanki, however, again demonstrated his free flowing style with an unbeaten half-century in which he went past 1,000 first class runs.

As a result of their frustrated bid to complete the double over their near-neighbours, Worcestershire now face a real cliff-hanger in their last Championship game against Northamptonshire.

It's a finale that is bound to pull in one of the best attendances of the season -- if Worcestershire put themselves in contention for a victory.

Optimistically, Worcestershire's top order batting appears to be running into some positive form.

Warwickshire had declared their first innings at 407-8, despite an impressive haul of 6-90 by Glenn McGrath, and Worcestershire found themselves 144 in arrears.

faced with that situation some patient batting was needed and this came in particular from Philip Weston who played the anchor role to Elliott Wilson.

They put on their second half-century stand of the match and were only four short of a second successive 100 partnership when Wilson, who had moved to 51, hit a ball from Neil Smith to Allan Donald at backward square leg.

This signalled the arrival of Solanki and with the game heading for a draw, he was able to cut loose and raced away with a succession of boundary shots against Warwickshire's bowlers.

His 50 came up off 57 balls and took him 63 minutes to give an indication of the general tone of the game in the afternoon session.

Weston, meanwhile, plodded on to finish with an unbeaten 58 which Worcestershire would certainly welcome going into the final game against leaders Northants.

They currently have a six points advantage over the New Road club and have a game in hand.